In order to facilitate European Companies to make EU-wide based offers or listing in Europe, FESCO proposes to create a passport for European issuers. The paper proposes a cross-border use of the Shelf Registration system in the EU and explores other possibilities to facilitate the mutual recognition of prospectuses. The paper is open for public consultation for a period of 3 months.

In order to facilitate European Companies to make EU-wide based offers or listing in Europe, FESCO proposes to create a passport for European issuers. The paper proposes a cross-border use of the Shelf Registration system in the EU and explores other possibilities to facilitate the mutual recognition of prospectuses

Alternative Trading Systems (ATS) offer electronic securities trading facilities outside the traditional trading channels. An expert group chaired by Howard Davies, Chairman of the UK FSA, has studied the impact of such systems in depth. The group has prepared a comprehensive report identifying and assessing the benefits and risks associated with the emergence of ATS and analysing the current regulatory treatment of such systems, within Europe and elsewhere. The report proposes both a short term and a long term option for a harmonised regulatory treatment of such systems in Europe.The paper was submitted to the European Commission as FESCO"s contribution to the preparation of the forthcoming Green Paper on possible amendments to the Investment Services Directive. The Green Paper will shortly be published as a basis for consultation with Member States, the financial services industry and other interested parties. However, the FESCO paper noted that, while the Green Paper on the ISD might be the catalyst for a far-reaching review of the regulatory approach to ATS, it would not provide a short-term solution. Accordingly, FESCO proposed that the short-term solution should take the form of a set of additional regulatory requirements for ATS operating as investment firms.FESCO will be working on proposals for what those additional regulatory requirements might be over the next six months, with a view to producing a consultation paper in the first half of 2001. This consultation paper will provide an opportunity for interested parties to comment in detail on the FESCO proposals. If, however, in the meantime interested parties have any specific comments on the possible additional regulatory requirements identified in paragraph 71 of the September paper, they should make these known to the Secretariat of FESCO via the following e-mail address: fdankers@europefesco.org

In the frame of the Financial Services Action Plan, FESCO has issued a report for the EU Commission containing proposals to improve cross border offering. The proposals in this paper would deliver the objective of home State control of the prospectus for cross-border offerings while, at the same time, maintaining appropriate protection for investors.

FESCO has adopted in March 2000 a paper on the "Implementation of article 11 of the ISD: Categorisation of investors for the purpose of conduct of business rules" (00-FESCO-A) and agreed to start a consultation on a new paper on "The harmonisation of core conduct of business rules for investor protection" (ref. FESCO/00-124b). These two documents are intended to be complementary and part of the same exercise, aimed at providing a harmonised framework for the provision of investment services throughout EEA. First, intermediaries have to categorise their clients on the basis of the criteria laid down in the FESCO document, then, depending on the outcome, either the retail or the professional regime will apply. The elaboration of these documents is a significant contribution to the EU Action Plan for Financial Services developed by the European Commission and will contribute to enhancing investor confidence and, therefore, to the implementation of efficient and transparent financial Markets in Euope. The document is open to public consultation for a period of 3 months.

FESCO agrees to start a consultation on a new paper on "the Harmonisation of Core Conduct of Business Rules for Investors Protection" (ref. FESCO/00-124b). This paper complements the paper adopted in March 2000 on the categorisation of investors for the purpose of conduct of business rules. The elaboration of these documents is a significant contribution to the EU Action Plan for Financial Services. The document is open to public consultation for a period of 3 months.

Fesco consults on a revised version of the earlier consulation paper published in September 2000. The purpose of the paper is to offer substantial harmonisation of key elements of the offering process. The paper has been prepared by an expert group chaired by Kaarlo J

Fesco consults on a proposal for common European standards for Alternative Trading Sytems (ATS's) with the view to providing appropriate regulation under the Instrument Services Directive (ISD) of instruments firms operating ATS\'s. These proposals have been prepared by an expert group chaired by Howard Davies, Chairman of the UK FSA. Responses to the questions posed in the paper, as well as any general comment, are welcomed by end of August 2001.

Fesco consults on a revised version of the earlier consultation paper published in September 2000. The purpose of the paper is to offer substancial harmonisation of key elements of the offering process.

Fesco consults on a proposal for common European standards for Alternative Trading Systems (ATS) with the view to providing appropriate regulation under the Instrument Service Directive (ISD) of instrument firms operating ATSs.